November 9th. Remembrance day for us. Although they don't have Remembrance day over there, for many Germans today is a special day. Exactly eighteen years ago the wall of infamy that signified the brutal and arbitrary division of the two German states came to the end of its bloody existence, as hundreds of people crossed the border. The shadow of communism that was cast over a large part of the world would soon retreat into pockets where it is making its last stance before being definitively dumped into the garbage truck.
Over the decades the redness of Communist flags disguised the spilt blood of its innocent victims. The dramatic testimonies left by the Berlin Wall recount an era or oppression, control and contempt for human life, not least the "shoot to kill" orders.
November 9th is a day to remind us every human being's destiny: to be free. Every human being is driven to freedom and will strive for it and achieve it if given the chance. If one wants to kill this spirit one has to destroy the very essence of human nature. Communism attempted to do this for decades and failed. Today we remember the war dead and the veterans, but we should carve out a space for those free spirits that chose to risk their life escaping oppression over surrender to tyranny.
There are still many walls to bring down, and possibly many victims to be counted before freedom bells peal loud across the globe. Let the spirit of Remembrance day remind us of the heroic actions of our ancestors and of those who defend our countries today. Let the spirit of those who tore down the Berlin wall remind us that freedom is the most precious gift of all, and that no matter which sacrifices one goes through to achieve it, it's worth it.
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